Three key factors influence consumers’ use of the hospital emergency room today, according to Dr. Barsam Kasravi, managing medical director for state-sponsored programs for WellPoint. In this podcast, Dr. Kasravi discusses how WellPoint is trying to close critical care gaps and encourage its members to utilize healthcare services more effectively. Dr. Kasravi and Dr. Karen Amstutz, vice president and medical director of Medicaid and senior markets, will describe WellPoint’s efforts to reduce avoidable emergency room visits during “Reducing Avoidable Emergency Room Visits: Approaches to Redirect Patients to Cost-Effective Care Settings,” a 45-minute webinar on September 1, 2010.